FIH World League R2, Tacarigua - 5-8 - Trinidad & Tobago vs. Barbados

Day 5 – Top seeds book Round 3 spots

 

Switzerland vs. Chile

Match 1 started under hazy conditions as the threat of rain loomed over Tacarigua for the first time during the tournament. Chile employed a full press early, pushing Switzerland back to their baseline, but the Swiss stayed patient and withstood the pressure. The Swiss then took the lead from a FG before a Chilean PC made things even after Q1. Chile took the lead from another PC early in Q2 and Switzerland equalised with a PC of their own near the end of the quarter for a 2-2 score at halftime.

The rain clouds moved further south and the sun greeted the players for the start of the second half. Early in Q3 Switzerland’s Hödle was on hand to tap in a PC. Both teams got into the opposing circle without adding to the goals for a 3-2 Switzerland lead at the end of Q3. Chile started Q4 pushing for an equaliser, but again the Swiss were patient and steady in their defending. They were rewarded with another PC goal and kept the Chilean attack out to record their first win of the tournament. Final score 4-2 Switzerland. 

 

Trinidad & Tobago vs. Barbados

The second game featured a fierce Caribbean rivalry with Trinidad & Tobago putting the early pressure on. Barbados stood firm and ensured little space in their defensive third for opponents and a 0-0 score after the first frame. Q2 started as the first and again Barbados held firm until a spectacular bit of skill from Teague Marcano opened the scoring for TTO. It turned out to be the only goal of the quarter for a 1-0 TTO lead at halftime.

The third frame saw more TTO pressure and BAR defending, with few clear goal scoring chances. TTO eventually broke through with a deflected FG to secure a 2-0 lead at the end of Q3. The final quarter saw more TTO pressure, but it was BAR who found a way through with a well worked counter attack FG. TTO kept up pressing against a tiring BAR defence and their determination led to their 3rd FG. They then closed off the game to move into the 5th-6th place final. Final score 3-1 Trinidad & Tobago.


Canada vs. Russia

The first semi-final got off to a fast start with both teams looking for an early goal. Canada enjoyed the possession, but it was Russia who got on the scoresheet first with a deflected FG. Canada earned a few PCs but the Russian GK Ivanov saved well to keep the score 0-1 at the end of Q1. Ivanov continued to be the busier keeper and he made a few good saves, but was unable to stop three PC goals from the Canadians. The halftime came with Canada in control at 3-1.

Russia came out in the third frame trying to get back into the game. The Canadian defence held firm and they took control of the quarter to force some good saves from Ivanov, but there were no goals at the end of Q3. Canada continued to control the game in Q4 and they added a FG to confirm their place in the final, booking their Round 3 spot in the process. Final score 4-1 Canada. 

 

USA vs. Japan

The Japanese got the second semi-final off to a fast start, using their speed to try and get behind the USA defence, but the Americans kept their composure and weathered the early pressure. The best chance of the quarter was a Pat Harris shot that came off of the Japanese upright, but there were no goals. The second quarter was more balanced and neither team had any clear chances, but the Japanese were the more dominant. The USA team continued to hold firm for a 0-0 halftime score.

In Q3 the USA enjoyed their best attacking period, forcing some last ditch defending from the Japanese to deny the goal. Japan stayed calm and took the lead when Kenta Tanaka got on the end of a 30 metre pass to deflect a FG past GK Karess. The Americans came close with a deflected effort, but the score remained 0-1 after the third quarter. In the final quarter the Americans continued to defend well, breaking up many of the Japanese attacks outside their circle. In addition, they started getting more circle penetrations of their own, but failed to force any saves from GK Shimmoto. In the final minutes they made a final gamble in pulling GK Karess for the extra out player, but the Japanese held firm and confirmed the result with a well taken goal in the final minute to book both a spot in the final and in Round 3. Final score 2-0 Japan.


Day 5 did not disappoint. An exciting semi-final day’s action has set up the final day as follows: 7-8th Chile vs Barbados, 5-6th Switzerland vs. Trinidad and Tobago, 3-4th Russia vs. USA and 1-2nd Canada vs. Japan.